Rhode Island’s last one-room schoolhouse to stay open

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s last one-room schoolhouse will remain open at least another year.

The Newport Daily News reports that Portsmouth Town Administrator Richard Rainer said Monday town support of the Prudence Island School Foundation is secure for the fiscal year that begins in July.

The nonprofit foundation and the Portsmouth School District have an agreement in which the district funds the education program and the foundation runs the program and maintains the school, built in 1896. Prudence Island is part of Portsmouth.

The foundation in a statement Saturday said the district wants to halt funding by the end of the academic year.

Town Councilor Leonard Katzman says he’s sure a deal can be reached to keep the school open beyond another year.

The foundation currently supports the education of five island children.

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Information from: The Newport Daily News.